Police review CCTV footage after body found

File photo / Steven McNicholl

Police are reviewing footage taken by security cameras and talking to the friends of a young man who was found dead at an inner-city apartment block in Wellington.

Mystery surrounds the death of the 18-year-old Porirua man who was found yesterday morning after a party at the Soho apartment block on Egmont St, in the central business district.

Detective Inspector Paul Basham of Wellington CIB told media this morning that a post-mortem examination would be carried out today.

He said police were keeping "an open mind" on how the young man died.

"All possibilities remain on the table," Mr Basham said.

He said police believed the man was not a resident of the apartment block but was at a party on the eighth floor on Saturday night.

Mr Basham said the man's friends found him at 8.30am yesterday and tried to resuscitate him before calling emergency services.

He said the man's friends are distraught and had been put in touch with victim support.

Wellington police and forensic experts carried out a scene examination yesterday but police would not reveal how the man had died, whether he was injured or if his death was suspicious.

Newstalk ZB reported the man may have fallen to his death.

Police were still at the scene today and were talking to residents of the apartment block.

People living in the apartment block contacted by the Herald yesterday woke to find the police cordon sealing off their street, a few minutes walk from Cuba St and Courtenay Place.

Other residents of the building reported hearing piercing screams before the young man's body was found yesterday morning.

One man said residents in the block were used to rowdy late-night revellers shouting loudly and waking people up in the well-known shortcut.

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said a large group yesterday performed a karakia as the young man's body was removed.

Mr Basham said anyone who knows anything about the death should call Wellington police on (04) 381 2000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

- NZHERALD STAFF